1. Careers Nursing Information Provided By:
Georgia Statewide Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
PowerPoint Presentation By:
Juliane Monko & Dr. Frank Flanders
CTAE Resource Network, June 2009
Based On PowerPoint Ideas From:
Penny Howard, RN, Healthcare Science Instructor

2. There are six centers in the Georgia AHEC Network, and each serves a multi-county region. 
The AHEC mission is to meet the health needs of Georgia by improving the supply, distribution and quality of healthcare providers.
AHECs offer enrichment programs, camps, learning tools, student counseling, volunteer and mentoring activity coordination, and access to other educational resources.
Contact your regional AHEC for more information. 
A H E C

3. Objectives
Students will be able to describe health careers in the field of Nursing.
Students will be able to plan a healthcare career path in Nursing.

4. Clinical Nurse Specialist Licensed Practical Nurse
Careers in Nursing
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Licensed Practical Nurse
Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse-Midwife
Nurse Practitioner
Nursing Assistant
Registered Nurse

5. Clinical Nurse Specialist

6. Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses who function in one of a number of nursing's areas of specialization.
They may provide direct care to patients, teach in a variety of health care settings, and work as researchers, consultants, or nurse managers. 

7. Clinical Nurse Specialist
Work Environment
Salary
Community agencies
Healthcare systems
Hospitals
Industry
Nursing homes
Private homes
Private practice settings
Public health departments
Research centers
School
Average Starting Salary $68,619
Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:

8. Clinical Nurse Specialist Academic Requirements
In order to enter a clinical nurse specialist program one must be prepared as a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and hold a current nursing license. Programs last one to two years and lead to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

9. Licensed Practical Nurse

10. Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic bedside care and may also give injections and medications.
They change dressings, evaluate patient needs, implement care plans, and supervise nursing assistants.
In an office setting they make appointments and keep patient records.

11. Licensed Practical Nurse
Work Environment
Salary
Community health clinics
Hospitals
Long-term care facilities
Mental health institutions
Nursing homes
Physicians' offices
Private homes
Public health departments
Visiting nurse associations
Average Starting Salary $27,914
Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:

12. Licensed Practical Nurse Academic Requirements
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.  Completion of an accredited practical nursing program usually takes between 12 and 18 months.

13. Nurse Anesthetist

14. Nurse Anesthetist
Anesthesia is the use of drugs, gases, and nerve blocks to provide a partial or total loss of pain during surgery
During surgery, nurse anesthetists administer anesthetic drugs, monitor the patient's vital signs and adjust the doses of anesthetics and other medications to assure optimal patient safety and comfort. 

15. Nurse Anesthetist Work Environment Salary
Dental offices
Hospitals
Military
Outpatient surgical centers
Pain clinics
Average Starting Salary $116,147
Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:

16. Nurse Anesthetist Academic Requirements
A bachelor's degree, a current nursing license, and a minimum of one year's experience as a registered nurse in an acute care area are required.
Nurse anesthesia programs last from 24 to 36 months, depending upon the institution and the type of degree offered.  All nurse anesthesia programs are at the graduate level.

17. Nurse-Midwife

18. Nurse-Midwife
Nurse-midwives provide care for healthy women before, during, and after childbirth.
They assist in labor and delivery, help in newborn care, and counsel mothers on infant growth and future pregnancies

19. Nurse-Midwife Work Environment Salary Average Starting Salary $67,045
Birthing centers
Clinics
Health maintenance organizations
Hospitals
Physicians' offices
Public health departments
Average Starting Salary $67,045
Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:

20. Nurse-Midwife Academic Requirements
A college preparatory diploma is recommended. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a current nursing license, and experience in a related field are usually required to enter a master's level program in nurse-midwifery. 
Some schools offer bachelor's degree programs so that nurses with diplomas or associate degrees may gain the extra credits required to enter a master's program.  

21. Nurse Practitioner

22. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have advanced educational preparation that qualifies them to assess health conditions, identify and diagnose problems and develop plans to improve healthcare outcomes.
NPs conduct health screenings and physical exams, prescribe tests and medications, and educate patients about their conditions and the need for preventive activities.

23. Nurse Practitioner Work Environment Salary
Academic institutions
Clinics
Community health centers
Health maintenance organizations
Home health agencies
Hospitals
Migrant health clinics
Military
Physicians' offices
Public health departments
Rural health clinics
Schools
Average Starting Salary $66,446
Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:

24. Nurse Practitioner Academic Requirements
To enter a nurse practitioner program in Georgia, one must be a registered nurse and hold a current nursing license. 
Programs last from one to two years and grant either a post MSN certificate or a master's degree.

25. Nursing Assistant

26. Nursing Assistant
Working under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or physician, they answer patient call lights, serve meals, and check blood pressure, temperature, pulse and breathing.
They have a great deal of patient contact and are important in developing patient relationships.
They assist with medications, change linens, and teach family members to care for the patient during recovery. 

27. Nursing Assistant Work Environment Salary
Home health agencies
Hospitals
Mental health institutions
Nursing homes
Physicians' offices
Private homes
Average Starting Salary $18,408
Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:

28. Nursing Assistant Academic Requirements
A high school diploma is usually required.  Training is available at many technical schools.  It may be offered by employers and usually consists of at least 90 hours of lectures, demonstrations, and supervised practice.

29. Registered Nurse

30. Registered Nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients by providing both treatment and education.
They interpret and respond to patient symptoms, reactions and progress. 
RNs also teach patients and families about proper health care, assist in patient rehabilitation, and provide emotional and physical support to promote recovery and well-being. 

31. Registered Nurse Work Environment Salary
Colleges and universities
Community health clinics
Hospitals
Industry
Public health departments
Mental health institutions
Migrant centers
Military
Nursing homes
Physicians’ offices 
Prisons
Private homes
Public schools
Rehabilitation centers
Average Starting Salary $49,504
Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:

32. Registered Nurse Academic Requirements
A college preparatory diploma is recommended. Students must complete an accredited nursing program, including any one of the following:
Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.), Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.),  or Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.N.). Offered primarily by community colleges; these are two-year programs.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). Offered by colleges and universities, this is usually a four-year program.

33. Registered Nurse Academic Requirements
Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) or Master’s in Nursing (M.N.). Offered by colleges and universities, a master’s generally requires one or two years of additional training after obtaining a B.S.N.
Doctor of Nursing (D.N.Sc., D.N.S., D.S.N.), Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.or Dr.N.P.) or Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Offered by universities, a doctorate requires numerous years of additional education and research experience.

34. Summary
There are a variety of careers available in Nursing. Educational requirements vary by career and career level. Students interested in these careers should use the information provided here as a basis for a career plan. The student should also research the career further to complete a career plan.
Careers available in Nursing include:
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Licensed Practical Nurse
Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse-Midwife
Nurse Practitioner
Nursing Assistant
Registered Nurse